Congratulations to Kim Jong Il from B. Yeltsin

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, received a message of greetings from Russian President B. Yeltsin on Friday, five days before the 50th anniversary of the DPRK. Yeltsin said he extends his heartfelt congratulations to Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the 50th birthday of the DPRK. He expressed the belief that the traditional relations of friendship between the Russian Federation and the DPRK will Develop in the interest of the welfare of the two peoples and peace and security in the Korean peninsula and the Asia-Pacific region. He wished Kim Jong Il a long life in good health and success and the people of the DPRK happiness and wellbeing.

SPA deputies pay respects to President Kim Il Sung

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- Deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace on Sunday after attending the first session of the 10th SPA. The visitors paid respects to the President Kim Il Sung who lies in state at the palace. Then they went round a train, used by the President for on-site guidance and foreign trip, and a car, used by him in the last period of his life.

S. Korea: Unionists whisked away

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities on September 4 took away the Hyun Dai Heavy Machine Unionists who occupied the office of "Labour-management-government committee" in Seoul and were waging a sit-in strike in demand of vital rights, according to a radio report from Seoul.

S. Korean authorities' arrest of Father Mun condemned

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the north headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification published a statement on Sunday denouncing the South Korean authorities for their unprecedented repression of pro-reunification patriotic forces including the participants in the August 15 grand pro-reunification festival.

Senior state officials meet foreign diplomatic envoys

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam, premier of the cabinet Hong Song Nam and other senior state officials of the DPRK, who had been elected at the first session of the 10th SPA, met with foreign diplomatic envoys here who paid a courtesy call on them at the Mansudae Assembly hall on Sunday. They had a friendly talk with the diplomatic envoys.

Greetings to Kim Jong Il from Fidel Castro Ruz

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) - The great leader Kim Jong Il received a message of greetings on September 6 from Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Council of state and President of the council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, upon his reelection as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK at the first session of the tenth Supreme People's Assembly. Fidel Castro Ruz said he extends the most heartfelt and warm congratulations to Kim Jong Il upon his reelection as NDC Chairman of the DPRK on behalf of the party, government and people of Cuba and in his own name. He reassured Kim Jong Il of his will to continue striving to develop friendly and cooperative relations linking the two countries and the two peoples and of the invariable support of Cuba to the just aspirations of the fraternal Korean people for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country. The message wished Kim Jong Il good health and success in his responsible post.

Greetings to Kim Jong Il from Chongryon

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a message of greetings from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) on the occasion of his reelection as Chairman of the National Defence Commission (NDC) of the DPRK at the first session of the 10th Supreme People's Assembly. The message dated September 6 said: Your reelection as NDC Chairman is the highest glory in realising the unanimous desire and aspirations of all the Korean people and a great event of the nation which makes it possible to boundlessly exalt exploits of the President Kim Il Sung in state building together with the prosperity and development of Juche Korea. It is also a historic event solemnly declaring a new start of Juche Korea that upholds you as leader of the party, state and army. You are a strong man who has long won with ideas and leadership, faith and love since you embarked upon the road of the revolution in your early years and the great sun of creation who has performed undying exploits which will shine in annals of the country and human history by inheriting and developing the Juche revolutionary cause. It is thanks to your great guidance and deep benevolence that Chongryon and Koreans in Japan are proudly struggling with a high pride and confidence in being overseas citizens of the DPRK even in difficult conditions in which they live in an alien land, enjoying to their heart's content honour and happiness which the overseas citizens of no other countries can imagine. We all the Chongryon officials and Japan-resident Koreans will resolutely defend the socialist homeland which is dynamically advancing under the banner of Juche, devotedly struggle for the prosperity and development of the homeland with patriotic feelings and creditably discharge our patriotic mission in the nationwide struggle for national reunification, the greatest desire of the nation.

Secretary Kim Ki Nam meets Chinese delegation

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Ki Nam, Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, met with a delegation of the All-China Journalists Association led by Zhao Guangjun at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Sunday. Present at the meeting were chairman So Tong Bom of the C.C., the Korean Journalists Union and counselor of the Chinese embassy here Song Masuo. On the occasion the head of the delegation warmly congratulated General Secretary Kim Jong Il on his reelection as Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission at the first session of the 10th Supreme People's Assembly. The launch of the first artificial satellite by the Korean people delights the Chinese people, he said, expressing the belief that the Sino-Korean relations of friendship and cooperation will be everlasting.

Papers on invincibility of the DPRK

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- Papers today come out with editorials hailing the reelection of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and Supreme Commander of the revolutionary armed forces, as Chairman of the National Defence Commission (NDC) of the DPRK at the first session of the 10th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA). The editorial of Rodong Sinmun says: The session was a meeting of unity which fully demonstrated the will of our party and people to exalt the undying exploits of the President Kim Il Sung in state building for all ages, closely rallied around Kim Jong Il. It was an important political event which has opened a phase of tremendous change in realising Kim Jong Il's design to build a powerful state of Juche and which will shine long in the history of our republic. His reelection as NDC Chairman is an expression of absolute support for and trust of all the people and servicemen in him. It is a historic milestone in the struggle for the strengthening and development of the DPRK. With his reelection the dignity and sovereignty of our republic can be firmly defended under any circumstances and our country can shine as a powerful socialist state. The session marked an epochal occasion in firmly defending and exalting the nature of our republic as the state of President Kim Il Sung. It is also an important occasion in further strengthening the government of the DPRK in accordance with the requirements of the new era of the Juche revolution. The session set up a new structure and system of the state and elected state leadership organs in line with the requirements of our developing revolution. Thus, the government of the DPRK can more creditably discharge its historic mission of modelling the whole society on the Juche idea under the guidance of Kim Jong Il. To push ahead with the socialist construction is the most important revolutionary task to build a powerful state of Juche. All the party members and other working people should turn out with a firm determination and revolutionary zeal and bring about a new great upsurge of Chollima across the country. The editorial of Minju Joson says: The prospect of our country guided by Kim Jong Il is very bright. Only victory and glory are in store for our people.

Rodong Sinmun on successful launch of "Kwangmyongsong No. 1"

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- The scientists and technicians of Korea succeeded in putting the first artificial satellite into orbit. This is a present of their loyalty to General Secretary Kim Jong Il. This also demonstrates the fixed faith of the Korean people to build a strong and prosperious country of Juche, rallied close around him. Rodong Sinmun today stresses this in a lengthy editorial article captioned "warm congratulations on successful launch of the first artificial satellite 'Kwangmyongsong No. 1'." The daily says: The successful launch of the first artificial satellite "Kwangmyongsong No.1" in Korea demonstrated the inexhaustible potentials of Juche Korea. It is a significant event that set up a new milestone in the building of a strong and prosperous socialist country. It is an all-round crystal of the strength of the DPRK, independent in politics, self-sufficient in the economy and self-reliant in national defence, and the highest peak of Juche-based science and technology. The recent auspicious event is a solemn gunreport of the building of a strong and prosperous country. The launch, a historic event, gives the confidence in the final victory and optimism to the Korean people on an arduous socialist forced march. It is of weighty importance in exploring new areas of our science and technology. The launch makes it possible to lay solid foundations for she launch of practical satellites. It is thanks to the guidance of Kim Jong Il that a huge army of competent scientists and technicians and a reliable scientific research have been built and proud successes of science and technology have been gained. The recently-launched carrier rocket and artificial satellite have been developed by our wisdom, technology and local materials 100 percent. The recent launch proves that no doubt, our science and technology are on the level of those of advanced countries= it fully demonstrates the advantages of socialism over capitalism. We will go in advance of imperialism in science and technology and win victory of Korean socialism.

Japanese authorities must act with discretion

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Korean committee for solidarity with world people released a statement today lashing out at the clamourings of the Japanese authorities about "countermeasures" as regards the successful launching of an artificial satellite in the DPRK. The spokesman said: When they had no knowledge of our scientific study for a peaceful purpose, the Japanese authorities spread rumours that the DPRK made a missile launching test and conducted a frantic anti-DPRK racket, crying that they are "regrettable" and that they are "threatened." Worse still, they unilaterally suspended direct flights between the DPRK and Japan with outcries for a "countermeasure" and adopted a "resolution" against the DPRK at the house of representatives and the house of councillors. After it was reported that the DPRK succeeded in launching an artificial satellite, they kicked up a row, alleging that the satellite was not located. This shows that they have not yet discarded a hostile policy toward the DPRK. We would like to ask the Japanese authorities whether some countries including Japan had launched artificial satellites after notifying other countries about the launching. Isn't it shameful for them to launch frantic anti-DPRK rackets over the DPRK's launching of an artificial satellite for a scientific study? Their anti-DPRK racket including "countermeasures" and "adoption of a resolution" revealed their ignorance of in international usage and their vulnerability. In other words, they brought only disgrace to themselves. They will be held wholly responsible for all the serious consequences of the anti-DPRK rackets they have conducted, unilaterally suspending direct flights and adopting a "resolution" against the DPRK in the diet. They must look straight at the trend of the times, discard the anachronistic anti-DPRK hostile policy at once and act with discretion. Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we express the expectation that the Japanese organisations and people from all walks of life who value friendship between the peoples of the DPRK and Japan will conduct brisk activities to check the reckless anti-DPRK rackets of the Japanese authorities against the trend of the times.

National emblem and flag of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- The national emblem and flag of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea symbolize the might and dignity of the country and nation. The national emblem bears the design of Mt. Paektu, the sacred mountain of revolution, and a grand hydro-electric power station under the beaming light of a five-pointed star, with ears of rice forming an oval frame, bound with a red ribbon bearing the inscription "the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." Mt. Paektu and the five-pointed star in it reflect the history of the revolutionary struggle of the Korean people and bright future. The hydro-electric power station and ears of rice show the might of Korea's industry and agriculture. The red ribbon is symbolic of the eternal monolithic unity of the Korean people, and the prosperity and development of the country and bright future. The national flag consists of a central red panel bordered both above and below by a narrow white stripe and a broad blue stripe. The central red panel bears, in the hoist, a five-pointed red star within a white circle. The red color of the flag is symbolic of the blood shed by the anti-Japanese revolutionary forerunners and other people of Korea in the revolutionary struggle for the freedom and independence of the country. The white color shows that the Korean nation is a homogeneous one with a long history and culture and the blue Color symbolizes the sovereignty of the Korean people. The five-pointed star depicts the dignity of the Korean people and bright future. Indeed, the national emblem and flag of the DPRK clearly show its political idea and historical and economic

Termination of U.S. forces' occupation of S. Korea called for

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- 53 years have passed since the U.S. military occupation of South Korea. Rodong Sinmun today runs a commentator's article in this regard. The daily says: High-raking officials of the U.S. military are crying for its forces' permanent presence in South Korea and northeast Asia. Their utterances are a brigandish rigmarole ridiculous in view of the requirements of the present times and an extension of their cold war policy. The U.S. militarily occupied South Korea with the Japanese imperialist defeat as an occasion to divide Korea into two parts. They unleashed a Korean War in a bid to stifle the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in its cradle and colonise the whole Korea. The United States should have drawn a serious lesson from its defeat in the Korean War, abandoned its wild ambition for aggression on Korea and pulled its forces out of South Korea. It, however, wantonly violated and destroyed the Korean Armistice Agreement on purpose after the cease-fire and turned South Korea into a military base for a war for aggression on Korea and Asia as well as a nuclear forward base, the largest in the far east. It has so far justified the military occupation of South Korea with the logic of the Cold War. The USSR, its rival in the period of the Cold War, collapsed and the former and Present allies of the DPRK have normalised their relations with South Korea. The U.S. loud-mouthed logic of the Cold War--"deterrence to southward invasion"--has not gone down with anyone any longer. This shows that the "guarantee for security"" advertised by the U.S. in a bid to justify its military presence in South Korea and its surrounding areas is nothing but a sophism. The U.S., however, seeks the permanent presence of its forces in South Korea and east Asia because of its dominationist design. It intends to stifle the DPRK and socialism by forces of arms. Its attempt to destroy our red flag by military strength is a daydream. If the enemies dare to provoke another Korean war, our revolutionary armed forces will first annihilate the U.S. aggression forces and remove the rootcause of aggression and war from the Korean peninsula. It is high time for the U.S. to withdraw its forces from South Korea without losing its face. The U.S. withdrawal of its forces from South Korea will be the best choice for the sake of Korea, Asia and the world as well as for the U.S. people.

Great man and country with firm faith

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- "Any difficulty and formidable enemy will never block the advance of the Korean people, but the Korean revolution will emerge victorious as the great Kim Jong Il leads the party, the army and the people and the latter absolutely trust and follow the former." Ivan Rodrigues, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Dominican Party of Working People, stressed this in an article titled "great man and country with firm faith," dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. He said: The Korean people are successfully building socialism, full of confidence and optimism in the face of manifold difficulties caused by the imperialists' moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK and by severe natural disasters. The key to the success is their mental stubbornness and firm faith in socialism. The faith peculiar to Korea is based on the spirit of human bomb of all the people. No force on earth can bring into submission socialist Korea whose army and people are armed with this spirit. It is also based on absolute worship for and trust in the great leader who assumes responsibility for their destinies. When a leader has strong faith, his country and people become strong in faith. Kim Jong Il is the supreme incarnation of faith and will, recognized by history and the times. He paves the road to victory by placing the main stress on ideology and rousing the masses to activity. Herein lie the distinguished wisdom of his leadership and a source whereby Korea has become an invincible country with strong faith. In difficult circumstances he firmly believes in the army and people, finds himself among them and gains strength from them. And the army and people entrust their destinies entirely to him and remain unfailingly loyal to him. This harmonious whole makes it possible to display the spirit of human bomb in defending the leader and demonstrate the potentials of Korea as a country strong in faith.

Korea on the eve of 50th anniversary of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- All parts of Korea are pervaded with deep emotion and joy with the 50th anniversary of the DPRK at hand. The first session of the 10th Supreme People's Assembly, which was held with the approach of the National Day of DPRK, reelected General Secretary Kim Jong Il Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, reflecting the unanimous will of the whole party, all the army and all the people. Hearing this emotional news, the servicemen and people are hardening their determination to uphold the leadership of Kim Jong Il with loyalty, raising a storm of cheers. Celebration meetings are being held across the country. Streets of the capital city of Pyongyang and rural villages are in festive mood and streamers "Greatest honour to the great leader comrade Kim Jong Il," "Glory of Korea," "Pride of Nation" and "Celebration" are seen in different parts. National flags and five-color flags are fluttering. People are dancing and singing of the great jubilee of the nation. Meanwhile, events for celebrating the DPRK anniversary are being organized. Symposiums on the ideas and feats of the President Kim Il Sung in the state building, a national book exhibition, a photo and art exhibition, a ten-day film show, a national people's art festival, oratorial contests, performances of art circle members, celebration stages, sports games and other colorful events are being held. "Kim Il Sung's collected works" vols. 22 and 23 were published. Working people in different sectors of the national economy are completing various projects they started for the DPRK anniversary. People from all walks of life are significantly celebrating the holiday with their steadfast determination to staunchly take the road of Juche, absolutely trusting in and following only Kim Jong Il.

South Phyongan Province of Korea hit by rain-storm

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- South Phyongan Province suffered heavy damage from a strong rainstorm again on the evening of September 6. The rain, which had begun to fall in the afternoon, abruptly turned into a downpour of above 170 to 200 millimetres in the evening, accompanied by a strong wind of 10 or 20 metres per second. As a result, thousands of hectares of farmland were washed away or buried in Sukchon, Anju, Mundok, Sunchon, Phyongwon and other counties of the province, main granaries of the country. It is foreseen that rice harvests in these areas will decrease by more than 70 to 80 percent. Previously, these areas suffered from natural disasters -- Tidal waves last year and rain-storms in July and August this year. A large number of dwelling houses and public buildings were submerged in water or destroyed by the downpour. Roads and railways were destroyed in some sections, bringing the traffic to suspension, and electric and telephone systems were completely cut off. Many people died or are missing. At present, emergency rescue teams were formed. Competent organs including the flood damage rehabilitation on committee are making investigation into the damage.

Floral baskets to Kim Jong Il from heads of state

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received floral baskets from Yasser Arafat, President of the State of Palestine, and Abdul-Aalam Alhaji Abubakar, head of state and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on his reelection as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK. Palestinian and Nigerian ambassadors E.P. to Korea handed them to an official concerned on September 7.

Floral baskets and congratulatory letters to Kim Jong Il from foreign diplomatic corps

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a floral baskets and a congratulatory letters from the foreign diplomatic corps and embassy officials in charge of cultural and friendly relations here on his reelection as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the DPRK.

Heavy damage from rain-storm

Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- South Phyongan Province suffered heavy damage from a strong rainstorm again on the evening of September 6. The rain, which had begun to fall in the afternoon, abruptly turned into a downpour which was as much as 170 to 200 millimetres in 2-3 hours in the evening, accompanied by a strong wind of 10 or 20 metres per second. As a result, thousands of hectares of farmland were washed away or buried in Sukchon, Anju, Mundok, Sunchon, Phyongwon and other counties of the province, main granaries of the country. It is foreseen that rice harvests in these areas will decrease by more than 70 to 80 percent. Previously, these areas suffered from natural disasters --tidal waves in August last year and rain-storms in July and August this year. A large number of dwelling houses and public buildings were submerged in water or destroyed by the downpour. Roads and railways were destroyed in some sections, bringing the traffic to suspension, and electric and telephone systems were completely cut off. Many people died or are missing. At present, emergency rescue teams were formed. Competent organs including the flood damage rehabilitation committee are making investigation into the damage.